Shoring frame system

ABSTRACT

A shoring frame system is disclosed whereby a pair of generally planar columns are spaced from each other in tandem with the respective legs of each column interconnected by jack heads at the tops and bottoms thereof. Each jack head includes a jack thereon whereby the overall height of the respective legs of each column can be readily adjusted by adjusting a single jack.

United States Patent 1191 Ballou 1 July 3, 1973 SHORING FRAME SYSTEM3,520,508 7 1970 Sewell et a1. 248/354 8 l8 8 [75 I Inventor: Clayton R.Ballou, San Ramon, Calif. 3'604'l75 9/197] (Imy 2/17 [73] Assignee:llursh, Jack E., Millbrae, Calif. a FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS partinterest 64,256 9/1892 Germany 248/354 S 364,099 10/1962 Switzerland248/354 [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1971 Prima ExaminerMarion Parsons Jr. 21A 1. N 169,173 ry I 1 pp v Attorney-Oscar A. Mellin et a1.

[52] U.S. CL, 52/122, 52/637, 52/646,

52/648, 182/178, 248/188.4, 248/354 S, 248/357 [57] ABTRIACT 51 1m. 61.E04g 25/00 A Shormg frame System 18 dlsclosed whereby a p of [58] Fieldof Search; 248/1884, 354 s, generally planar columns are spaced fromeach other 248/357; 249/18, 210; 52/126, 122, 637, 646, in tandem withthe respective legs of each column in- 33 4 2 17 79; 2 terconnected byjack heads at the tops and bottoms thereof. Each jack head includes ajack thereon 5 R f Cited whereby the overall height of the respectivelegs of UNITED STATES PATENTS each column ,can be readily adjusted byadjusting a sin- I k. 2,885,181 5/1959 McCully et al. 248/1884 g e lac3,190,405 6/1965 Squire 182/178 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 12 1213i I40,42. I I -3' =1,41 l 1 PAIENIEDJuLa ms SlEEIlUZ FlG 1 FlG 2 FlG 5INVENTOR. CLAYTON R. BALLOU FIG 3 ATTORNEYS I PATENIEDJUL3 I9753.742.662

SIEH 2 U 2 I I I I... W INVENTCR. CLAYTON R. BALLOU v-WW ATTORNEYSSHORING FRAME SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The invention relates to shoring structures; and, moreparticularly, to a shoring frame system capable of supporting a greatlyincreased load-bearing capacity.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the shoring of, for example, overpassroads or the like, it is well known to provide a series of shoringstructures during the building of such roads. For example, a typicalshoring structure is shown in U. 5. Pat. No. 3,190,405 to Squire. Inthis patent, it can be seen that a conventional type of shoring systeminvolves a plurality of columns such as the two illustrated in FIG. 1 ofSquire, mounted in tandem and interconnected by suitable cross-bracing.Such bracing as shown results in relatively wide spacing between thecolumns of the shoring structure. This is due to the fact that the basesof the leg members forming the columns of the shoring structuregenerally include commercially made jack members or the like foradjusting the overall height of the columns. These jack membersgenerally include load-supporting nuts coupled to handles which requirea particular amount of spacing between the leg members for clearance.This relatively wide spacing between columns results in a structurewhich can take a lesser amount of loading and is generally aestheticallyunappealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide amore stable shoring structure capable of bearing relatively heavyloading.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved shoringstructure which is more aesthetically pleasing than prior artstructures.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedjack arrangement for interconnecting columns of such shoring structures.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a pairof generally planar columns spaced from each other in tandem with therespective legs of each column interconnected by jack heads at the topsand bottoms thereof. Each jack head includes a jack thereon whereby theoverall height of the respective legs of each column can be readilyadjusted by adjusting a single jack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical view of ajackhead prior to installation on the shoring frame system of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the jack head of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical view of a jack to be installed on the jack head ofFIGS. I and 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical view of the shoring frame system of my inventionhaving the jacks and jack heads of FIGS. 1 through 3 installed thereon;and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the shoring frame system of FIG. 4with portions omitted for convenience of illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, ajack head is shown oriented in the direction for installationat the bottom of the columns ofa shoring structure as will be explainedfurther hereinbelow (the orientation of jack head 10 in its upsidedownposition, i.e., would orient it in the direction for installation at thetop of these columns). Jack head 10 is generally trapezoidal, as shown,and is adapted to receive the legs of the columns on which it is to beinstalled at the wide base member 11 thereof. Thus, at base member 11,jack head 10 includes a pair of spaced leg insert members l2 and 13. Leginsert members 12 and 13 are generally square in cross section as shownin FIG. 2 since the legs of the columns into which leg insert members 12and 13 are to be extended are generally square in cross section. Ofcourse, if desired, leg insert members 12 and 13 may be of any suitablecross section depending upon the configuration of the aforementionedlegs.

In either case, each leg insert member preferably includes an apertureextending therethrough, such as apertures l4 and 15, for receiving alocking pin or the like, as will also be explained further hereinbelow.Obviously, leg insert members 12 and 13, to extend into theaforementioned legs, must be ofa smaller cross section than the interiordiameter of the legs. Of course, the legs could telescope into members12 and 13 but the first-mentioned arrangement is preferred for reasonsof strength, stability, etc.

As shown in FIG. l,jack head 10 includes a centrally locatedjack-receiving member 16 which extends from the narrow base portion 17of jack member 10 a short distance past wide base portion 11. Member 16is threaded internally as at threads 18 for receiving therein a threadedjack rod 19 (FIG. 3). Rod 19 includes a knob 20 welded or the likethereon, which is adapted to fit into a hemispherical socket-type member21 secured to a base plate 22 to permit some rotational movement thereofas is well known in the art. Of course, any suitable means may beprovided for limiting the pivotal movement of knob 20 with member 21while retaining the knob 20 therein. Finally, a loadsupporting nut 24having an operating handle 25 thereon is threaded on rod 19, as is wellknown in the art.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, a pair of generally triangular flangeplates 26 and 27 are secured to both base member 11 and jack-receivingmember 16 for strengthening the jack head 10. Referring now to FIG. 4, ashoring structure 28 is shown comprised of a pair of columns 29 and 30mounted in tandem. That is, columns 29 and 30 are generally planar andso spaced from one another that their respective legs lie in generallythe same vertical plane normal to the plane of the columns. Thus, column29 includes a pair of legs 31 and 32 interconnected by suitable bracing33. The general configuration of legs 31 and 32 forms no particular partof my invention; however, such legs are generally square in crosssection and may include one or more telescoping sections as shown, asfor example, the legs disclosed in my copending application Ser. No.846,759, filed Aug. 1, 1969.

The legs 34 and 35 of column 30 are similar and also interconnected bysuitable bracing 36. As shown, columns 29 and 30 are furtherinterconnected by suitable cross-bracing such as tie rods 38. Thiscross-bracing 37 is of a lesser extent than is usual in structures ofthis type and may be generally horizontal members as shown. That is, thedistance between columns 29 and 30 may be on the order of only about3.625 inches,

whereas the prior art distance might be about ten inches. Such bracingis less expensive and more aesthetically pleasing in structures of thistype and also increases their load-bearing capacity.

This relatively short distance between columns 29 and 30 is accomplishedusing the jacks and jack heads of FIGS. 1 through 3. Thus, as shown moreparticularly in FIG. 5, jack head is connected to the lower ends of legs32 and 35 of columns 30 and 29, respectively. As can be seen in dottedlines, leg insert members 12 and 13 telescope or extend up into thelowermost ends of legs 32 and 35, respectively. A tie rod 38 or the likemay be connected to each leg 32 and 35 to provide bracing for columns 29and 32. Threaded jack rod 19 is threaded within jack-receiving member 16while knob 20 of rod 19 is snap-fitted onto base plate 22, as discussedhereinabove with respect to FIG. 3. Loadsupporting nut 24 is moved alongrod 19 by means of handle 25 to abut against the bottom or narrow baseportion 17 of jack head 10 as is well known in the art.

A pair of pins 39 and 40 are preferably inserted in suitable apertures41 and 42, respectively, in legs 32 and 35, which apertures are alignedwith the apertures 14 and 15, respectively, of leg insert members 12 and13 (see FIG. 1). These pins 39 and 40 are preferably secured to aconnecting member, such as a mild steel strap 43, and have a crosssection related to the apertures into which they are inserted (in thisinstance, generally square in cross section).

A similar jacking arrangement is provided at the top of legs 32 and 35.However, in addition to the orientation of the jack and jack head, theknob 20 of threaded rod 19 is connected to a generally U-shaped bracket44 (see also FIG. 4) which is adapted to receive thereon a suitablesupporting member (not shown), such as an elongated steel beam or thelike. Load-supporting nut 24 on the jack rod 19 at the top of legs 32and 35 abuts against the top of the legs 32 and 35.

of course, a similar jack and jack head arrangement is provided at thetop and bottom of legs 31 and 34 of FIG. 4, as shown. Thus, in allcases, the overall height of the legs of two columns mounted in tandemmay be adjusted by means of only a single jacking arrangement, whereasin the past individual jacks must have been provided for each leg. Also,the elimination of such individual jacks, as discussed hereinabove,brings the columns closer together, resulting in a more stable shoringstructure while eliminating complicated and expensive cross-bracingbetween such columns.

In prior art arrangements, when one leg of a column is adjusted throughmeans of a single jack, there is increased pressure on the other jack.In the case of my arrangement, this increased pressure is eliminated.Also, as discussed hereinabove, the loading capacity on the shoringstructure is substantially increased, while a lesser amount of space isrequired.

Such spacing between columns may be as little as 3.625 inches (i.e., theinner spacing from the outside of one leg to another the distancebetween centerlines of such legs may be on the order of 10 inches orso). The outer diameter of jack rod 19 may be preselected (and of coursethe threads of jack-receiving member 16) to provide a suitable shoringcapacity, depending upon the safety factor desired. For example, ajackrod of l-l-inch diameter may have a minimum shoring capacity of about 10tons; a 2-inch diameter jack rod may have a minimum capacity of about 20tons and a 2%- inch diameter jack rod may have a minimum capacity ofabout 40 tons. The length of such jack rod may be about 18 inches,whereas the distance between centerlines of leg insert members 12 and 13may be about 7 inches or so. The overall height ofjack head 10 (frombase member 11 to base portion 17) may be about 9.5 inches or so. Theapertures 14 and 15 may be 1 inch square in cross section.

Of course, all such dimensions may vary, depending upon the loadingcapacity desired, engineering economics, manufacturing techniques, etc.However, the closer the columns are to each other, the more stable suchshoring structure is. i

I claim as my invention:

1. A shoring frame system comprising:

a pair of columns spaced in tandem wherein each of said columns includesat least a pair of elongated vertically extending leg members ofgenerally the same length interconnected by a plurality of bracemembers, each column being generally planar and parallel to the otherwith the respective spaced leg members lying in generally a verticalplane, which plane is generally normal to the plane of said columns;

a pair of jack heads removably interconnecting the bottom of each pairof said respective spaced leg members, respectively, and adapted tosupport said columns on a supporting surface;

a second pair of jack heads removably interconnecting the top of eachpair of said respective leg members, respectively, and adapted tosupport a member thereon; and

each of said jack heads including a generally horizontally disposed basemember, a pair of leg member receiving members fixedly secured toopposite ends of each of said base members, the leg member receivingmembers of said first pair of jack heads extending generally upwardlyfor removably receiving the lower ends of said respective leg membersand the leg member receiving members of said second pair of jack headsextending generally downwardly for removably receiving the upper ends ofsaid respective leg members, a single generally centrally locatedjack-receiving member having internal threads extending therealongfixedly secured to each of said base members and extending generallydownwardly from the base member associated with the first pair of jackheads and extending generally upwardly from the second pair of jackheads, a pair of generally right triangular bracing plates fixedlysecured to each of said jack heads, said bracing plates having theirhypotenuses extending from the outer extremities of their respectivebase members to the outer ends of said jack-receiving members, theirbases fixedly secured to their respective base members on the sidethereof from which said jack-receiving member extends, and theirremaining sides extending along and fixedly secured to saidjack-receiving members, and

jack means having an elongated threaded shaft threaded into each of saidjack-receiving members for selectively varying the height of each pairof said respective leg members with respect to said jack heads, each ofsaid threaded shafts further including a base plate at the free endsthereof and a load-supporting nut threadably mounted on each of saidthreaded shafts and bearing against each of said jack-receiving members.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said leg member receiving members areof a cross section less than the internal diameter of said leg memberswhereby said leg member receiving members are insertable into said legmembers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein means are associated with each of saidleg member receiving members and said leg members for securing said legmembers from relative movement with respect to said leg member receivingmembers.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means associated with said legmember receiving members and said leg members include a pairofinterconnected pin members, said leg members and said leg memberreceiving members including apertures therein for receiving said pinmembers when the apertures in said leg member receiving members arealigned with the apertures in said leg members.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said threaded shafts furtherincludes a knob on one end thereof and said base plate is pivotallyconnected to said knob.

1. A shoring frame system comprising: a pair of columns spaced in tandem wherein each of said columns includes at least a pair of elOngated vertically extending leg members of generally the same length interconnected by a plurality of brace members, each column being generally planar and parallel to the other with the respective spaced leg members lying in generally a vertical plane, which plane is generally normal to the plane of said columns; a pair of jack heads removably interconnecting the bottom of each pair of said respective spaced leg members, respectively, and adapted to support said columns on a supporting surface; a second pair of jack heads removably interconnecting the top of each pair of said respective leg members, respectively, and adapted to support a member thereon; and each of said jack heads including a generally horizontally disposed base member, a pair of leg member receiving members fixedly secured to opposite ends of each of said base members, the leg member receiving members of said first pair of jack heads extending generally upwardly for removably receiving the lower ends of said respective leg members and the leg member receiving members of said second pair of jack heads extending generally downwardly for removably receiving the upper ends of said respective leg members, a single generally centrally located jack-receiving member having internal threads extending therealong fixedly secured to each of said base members and extending generally downwardly from the base member associated with the first pair of jack heads and extending generally upwardly from the second pair of jack heads, a pair of generally right triangular bracing plates fixedly secured to each of said jack heads, said bracing plates having their hypotenuses extending from the outer extremities of their respective base members to the outer ends of said jackreceiving members, their bases fixedly secured to their respective base members on the side thereof from which said jack-receiving member extends, and their remaining sides extending along and fixedly secured to said jack-receiving members, and jack means having an elongated threaded shaft threaded into each of said jack-receiving members for selectively varying the height of each pair of said respective leg members with respect to said jack heads, each of said threaded shafts further including a base plate at the free ends thereof and a loadsupporting nut threadably mounted on each of said threaded shafts and bearing against each of said jack-receiving members.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said leg member receiving members are of a cross section less than the internal diameter of said leg members whereby said leg member receiving members are insertable into said leg members.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein means are associated with each of said leg member receiving members and said leg members for securing said leg members from relative movement with respect to said leg member receiving members.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means associated with said leg member receiving members and said leg members include a pair of interconnected pin members, said leg members and said leg member receiving members including apertures therein for receiving said pin members when the apertures in said leg member receiving members are aligned with the apertures in said leg members.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said threaded shafts further includes a knob on one end thereof and said base plate is pivotally connected to said knob. 